The Medicare Savings Program and Low Cost Drug Program are vital to Maine’s seniors and need to be protected from the cutting block.
These programs enable many people, both elderly and disabled, to afford Medicare part B, which essentially pays for all medical services not administered as an in-hospital patient.
Elimination would mean that many people would not go to the doctor for routine preventive care, but instead wait until they are very sick, or develop a chronic disease, warranting hospital admission. The result is much higher treatment costs — not just for them, but for all of us.
Most of these people also would not be able to afford life-saving medications without forgoing other needed items, such as food and heat.
For those who qualify, Medicare Savings Program pays the $99.90 Medicare Part B premium that would otherwise be deducted from their Social Security check, and also pays their Medicare Drug Plan monthly premium, keeping their co-pays at the pharmacy low.
Those who qualify at the lower income level also would receive MaineCare as a supplement to fill in the gaps for what Medicare does not cover or pays a share.
The Low Cost Drug Program for the elderly and disabled program wraps around their Medicare Drug Plan and reduces their co-pays even more.
Mainers are traditionally a proud people, not wanting to take help and always believing that someone else needs the help more. For them to actually accept this help speaks volumes, because really, if they did not “have to” they would not.
The Appropriations Committee is due to vote on these programs on Wednesday.
Gloria Rhode
Spectrum Generations
Central Maine Area Agency on Aging
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